3-D Design Vocabulary
abstract: the reduction and/or simplification of an image or object to an essential
aspect of its form or concept.
activated space: the area controlled by a physical object, including its physical
volume or mass and the surrounding or enclosed space
additive sculpture: a physical object constructed from separate parts which
have been connected using glues, joints, stitching, welds, etc.
applied design: the application of visual and aesthetic design principles to
functional and practical objects (see also industrial design).
architecture: relating to the design and construction of buildings or structures.
armature: a skeleton that provides support for other materials (for example, a
metal or wooden skeleton to support clay for a figure sculpture).
assemblage: an additive method in which the artist or designer constructs the
artwork using objects and images which were originally created for another
purpose. Essentially, assemblage can be defined as three-dimensional collage.
balance: an arrangement of parts achieving a state of equilibrium among
opposing forces or influences; a feeling of equality in weight, attention or
attraction of visual elements as a means of accomplishing a sense of unity. The
major types of balance include symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial.
 symmetrical: a form of balance that is created when shapes are
mirrored on either side of an axis, as in a composition that is
vertically divided down the center.
 asymmetrical: dissimilar elements that are arranged in such a way
to balance or equal other combinations of dissimilar elements;
informal balance.
 radial: form of balance created when shapes or volumes are
repeated or mirrored and radiate from or converge upon a central
focal point.
bust: a sculpture of a person’s head, shoulders, and chest
carving: a subtractive process of sculpture where substance is removed from
the block or mass of material.
cast: the act of making an object by pouring a hardening liquid (molten metal,
plaster) into a mold. The object created is also known as a “cast.”
ceramic: a permanent substance created when clay is fired in a kiln.
conceptual art: art that is intended to convey an idea or impression to the
viewer through the use non-traditional materials and techniques (see also:
installations).
context: the situation in which an artwork is seen.
curvilinear: formed or characterized by rounded or curving lines or edges.
environmental art: an artwork that has been created through the transformation
of existing sites into an aesthetic statement.
figurative: representational human or animal forms.
form: a three dimensional object: for example, a square is a shape, a cube is a
form (see also: negative form/space and positive form/space).
 exterior form: The surface shape of a work of art.
 interior form: The shape of the inside of a hollow work of art; an inner
form that appears to be emerging from or contained within the outer form.
found object: any object not originally created as art, but used in a work of art.
freestanding sculpture: a sculpture that is self-supporting and designed to be
viewed from all sides (see also: in-the-round).
frontal: works made to be seen only from the front, as opposed to “in-theround.”
geometric: refers to shapes and forms that are hard, rigid, regular, and often
angular, often suggesting that they are man-made.
gesture: the suggestion of movement or expressive qualities.
industrial design: design of mass-produced products of the everyday
environment.
installation: a designed environment of spaces and objects executed on a site;
installations are often temporary.
kiln: an oven in which ceramics ware is fired.
kinetic art: art that incorporates actual movement or other physical change as
part of its design.
life cast: a form of a person made by making a mold of the body or face and
casting a positive in plaster from the mold
mass: a 3-D form having physical bulk; always includes weight in its definition.
maquette: a small-scale model of a work that is often created to be used in the
planning process of the larger work.
medium: a particular material along with its accompanying technique.
mixed media: works of art made from more than one medium.
mobile: a type of sculpture, created by Alexander Calder, in which parts move,
often activated by air currents.
modeling: an additive sculptural process by which a plastic material is formed
into an artwork or design.
module: a small unit that can be repeated to create a larger piece.
mold: a hollow form created for casting materials that flow into the form when in
a liquid state and then duplicate it in reverse when hardened.
monument: a work designed to mark or memorialize a significant person, event
or idea.
negative form/space: a shaped space that has no physical existence and is
created by a positive shape.
open form: a form that extends out into space and interacts with it. Allows
space to “crawl” in and out.
organic: refers to forms or shapes that are soft, relaxed, curvilinear, and
irregular in form; related to nature.
pedestal: a vertical support for a sculptural object. Also know as a plinth.
plastic clay: clay in its pliable form.
plane: in three-dimensional design, an area with measurable width and height.
Shapes that have been combined to create three-dimensional structures are
called planes.
positive form/space: a shaped space defined by the boundaries of the materials
that physically create the form.
primary contour: the outermost shape of a 3-d form.
proportion: the size relationships of parts to a whole and to one another.
public art: art designed specifically for exhibition in spaces accessible to the
general population.
Ready-made: conceived by Marcel Duchamp, it is a functional manufactured
object that is displayed as a work of art.
relief sculpture: sculpture in which three-dimensional forms protrude from a flat
background. The degree of projection indicates high or low-relief.
scale: a size relationship between two separate objects.
score and slip: processes used to permanently join two plastic clay
components. Clay must first be scored (roughened) and then slipped (covered
with a clay/water paste) before being joined and blended.
secondary contour: the inner edges of a physical object, such as the internal
design and detailing of a carved sculpture.
site specific: works of art that are created specifically for a particular setting.
space: the field in which 3-D work is created; space is infinite because it is in
and around everything.
statue: a three-dimensional representation usually of a person, animal, or
mythical being that is produced by sculpting, modeling, or casting.
subtractive sculpture: sculpture created by carving or removing material from
a larger block or form
symmetrical: duplication of identical or nearly identical forms on opposite sides
of a central (actual or implied) axis; formal balance; axial balance.
synthetic: having the appearance of being machine-like, rigid, hard, or
contrived; appearing to be man-made (see also organic and geometric).
texture: tactile quality of a surface or the representation or invention of the
appearance of such a surface.
 characteristic texture: the familiar texture of a material
 contradictory texture: the unfamiliar use of texture (for example a grasscovered suit)
volume: space enclosed by and defined by mass. Three-dimensional bulk or
mass present in or suggested by a form.
Vocabulary list derived from the following resources:
 French, Jeannie. Art 123 Visual Vocabulary. South Dakota State
University.
 Hartt, Frederick. Art: A History Of Painting, Sculpture, Architecture. Fourth
Edition.
 New Illustrated Webster’s Dictionary of The English Language. 1992
Edition.
 Merriam Webster Online. www.merriam-webster.com.
 McDermott, Catherine. Design.
 Northern Illinois University Art Department. School of Art: Basic 3-D
Vocabulary.
 Park, Michael. The Art Teacher’s Desktop Reference.